“I cannot imagine what our community would be like without the work of Catholic Charities,” Bishop Edward Malesic told those gathered to celebrate the agency’s 110 years of ministry and service in the Diocese of Cleveland.
The celebration began with a Mass celebrated by the bishop on Oct. 14 in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist and continued with a luncheon during which the 2022 Hall of Hope inductees were recognized. The honorees are the Sisters of the Humility of Mary, the late Msgr. Frederick Mohan, the late Philip Maynard, the late Thomas and Margaret Lynch, Sister Corita Ambro, CSJ and Father Joseph McNulty.
Bishop Malesic said the Mass was an opportunity to come together to give thanks to God while recognizing “the remarkable and consistent works of charity done by Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Cleveland for 110 years. That’s a long time and it is a great heritage of love. Yours is an extraordinary legacy of care and compassion carried out in the eight counties of our diocese You have touched the lives of so many men and women who come to our Church looking for help and love,”
He said most people think of their home parish and those in the pews when they think about the Church in the diocese. “But our Church is one that goes out from the pews and is sent beyond the walls of our churches into the world around us,” the bishop said. “Inspired by the Gospel, our Church through Catholic Charities, continues the outreach begun by Jesus. We feel compelled by Jesus to respond to those in need – those hurting or who may be forgotten – those living on the edges of society – those who have no one else to help them in life. And all this work is done – these essential services are provided – in a way that reflects the love of God for this world and upholds the dignity of every person created in God’s image.” He said this is accomplished without much public affirmation or fanfare.
“We reach out to the vulnerable people not because they are Catholic – many of them aren’t – but because we represent the Catholic faith and tradition of love,” Bishop Malesic said. He noted that he work of Catholic Charities includes tending to the needs of children and the unborn, the poor, the vulnerable, hungry, homeless, immigrants, refugees, people with physical and mental disabilities, senior citizens and veterans in the communities. It is one of the largest and most comprehensive health and human services organizations in the region.
“Your work on behalf of the Church in Northeast Ohio has a stunningly positive effect on our communities and the people who live in them,” the bishop said. Along with the sister ministries of Rose-Mary and St. Augustine, he pointed out that Catholic Charities provides more than 150 services at more than 60 locations to more than 400,000 people each year.
The charitable mission of the Church in Northeast Ohio began with the establishment of the diocese in 1847. Religious sisters, many of whom traveled here from France, opened orphanages and began a hospital in the early years of the diocese. In 1912, the first Catholic Charities office opened at East Ninth Street and Prospect Avenue with Father Charles LeBlond at the helm.
Since then, the bishop said thousands of people have been served by the women and men of Catholic Charities and by those who continue the ministry.
He recalled the words of St. Mother Theresa of Calcutta who said, “Every day I see Jesus Christ in all his distressing disguises.”
The day’s Gospel from St. Matthew reminds us to see the face of Jesus in all those to whom we minister, the bishop said, advising them to follow his episcopal motto, “Serve the Lord with gladness. It helps to energize me for the day ahead. I would encourage you to adopt it as your own. Try to offer a smile along with the gift of yourself to all who come to you in need,” he added.
The bishop also offered thanks on behalf of the clergy, religious and faithful of the diocese to Patrick Gareau, Catholic Charities’ president and CEO, the administration of the organization, its employees, volunteers and benefactors who put their love of God into action by supporting the vital mission of Catholic Charities.
“You do good work on behalf of Jesus himself. You make Catholic Charities what it is today – a blessing to the people of Northeast Ohio for the past 110 years. May we never stop building on the words of Jesus Christ, ‘What you have done for others, who did it for me.’ Thank you,” the bishop added.
“Our work is only made possible by the dedication and commitment of our generous supporters, who share their most precious gifts and resources with us,” Gareau said. “Through them, we can work toward our vision of a world touched by God’s love, where we alleviate poverty and need, and all people share justly in the blessings of creation.”
The Hall of Hope inductees, or a representative, received a plaque at the luncheon. A duplicate plaque will be installed on the Wall of Hope at Catholic Charities’ administrative offices, St. Augustine Health Ministries on Detroit Avenue in Cleveland (the old St. John Hospital).
The Humility of Mary Sisters were recognized for their more than 70 years of work at Rose-Mary, which has served children and adults with developmental and physical disabilities for a century.
Msgr. Mohan, a trained social worker, used his skills to strengthen services to children.
Maynard, an Akron businessman, was a committed philanthropist.
The Lynches demonstrated a major commitment to the mission and values of Catholic Charities and St. Augustine Health Ministries.
Sister Corita founded the St. Augustine Hunger Center and served that ministry for more than 40 years.
Father McNulty revitalized his parish – St. Augustine in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood – and established a vibrant ministry to those with disabilities and their families.
For more information on Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland, click here.
The 2022 Catholic Charities Annual Appeal is ongoing through the end of the year. Humble Heart-Gentle Soul Foundation created a $110,000 matching gift opportunity that allows donors to the annual appeal to double their contribution. All gifts will be matched – dollar for dollar – up to $110,000 through Nov. 30. Click here for more information on the 2022 annual appeal. Double your impact with a matching gift donation by clicking here.